Cameron Smith is now officially the NRL’s second oldest premiership winner after Melbourne’s 26-20 grand final win over Penrith.
And based on his performance on Sunday night, there’s no reason why 2020 has to be his last.
Smith was again one of the Storm’s best as they held out Penrith’s last-ditch comeback, scoring his first grand final try and managing the clock to perfection late.
In turn, he becomes the second oldest player behind George Brown at North Sydney in 1922 to lift the trophy.
He’d need to play another two years to overtake Brown. But at this point, is anything beyond him?
After dominating on it, Smith is staying mute about his future off the field.
When asked if he had any announcements to make after Sunday night’s win, Smith was as defiant as he has been for the past six months.
“I got nothing,” Smith responded.
“Get on the Storm in 2021!”
Pushed further on whether he could do it all again next year if required, considering that he’s had to undergo the challenges of living interstate for the past four months, Smith’s bat was just as straight.
“That’s a fairly open ended question that one,” he said.
“I think we need to enjoy what we’ve done tonight, and we’ll just get on with what we have to do next year.”
Even if Smith does retire, Melbourne have proven time and time again they can produce another young gun to keep them thriving.
Sunday’s win marked their first in a grand final without all of their big three playing, with Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater having retired in 2017.
Slater’s eventual replacement Ryan Papenhuyzen was handed the Clive Churchill Medal after scoring a try and running 187 metres.
Hughes did his job too, having improved drastically in 2020.
And when Cameron Smith does go, the Storm will at least have one of Harry Grant and Brandon Smith to go into the No.9 jersey.
Showing again, their dynasty is no closer to dying.
“Players like Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, you are going to lose them at some stage,” Bellamy said.
“They were great leaders as well as great players.
“But we have gone further to replace them, and these two guys have matured and done a great job for the team this year.
“Ryan and Jahrome have matured this year.
“They have been outstanding, and he (Papenhuyzen) has got the medal around his neck tonight.”
